Dead Poet Society: The Blame for Neil Perry's Death

677 Words2 Pages

Who is to blame for the death of Neil Perry? Explore the idea that others, including his father, Mr Keating and Welton Academy expected too much from him.

Mr Perry uses blackmail, pressure and authority to get his way over his son’s life and is otherwise to blame for Neil’s death. He sets Neil limits as to how he can live his life. When Mr Keating inspires Neil and the rest of the senior English class, it gives Neil the idea that he does have the power to stand up to his father. This leads Neil into committing suicide when his father forbids him from Acting and moves him into a Military Academy. Throughout the film Neil is shown to be under pressure to complete difficult aspects of life, placed on him by his father. Mr Perry guilt trips Neil into carrying out tasks he wants him to complete. His father does not seem to take in what he is doing to his son, placing the blame on Keating.

One of the most significant ways Mr Perry inadvertently causes Neil’s death is that he places too much pressure on him. He is infuriated when his son tells him that he is to join a theatre...

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